In the News
Instagram seems geared to be a platform that can do it all. In Instagram is building a standalone app for shopping, Casey Newton from The Verge discusses possible Instagram developments that will create separate apps for shopping and messaging. Newton states that Instagram has become a hub for businesses to showcase and promote their work and that Instagram users have become more and more shopping oriented on the app. Though Newton points out that these new Instagram standalone apps are still in development and may never see the light of day, he is clear to suggest the economic influence that an expanded shopping platform would provide for businesses and Instagram itself.
Our Take
For Instagram users, additional features or components of the parent app sound like an added benefit of using Instagram. If the messaging and shopping apps do get rolled out, you can use Instagram for not only your social media fix, but also for shopping and communication in a more accessible way that is currently available on the app. Although these new developments may make Instagram more useful and appealing, it is important to understand the security risks associated with expanded social media platforms. Much like on Facebook’s Messenger app, spam and phishing attempts have become highly common. Understanding how to spot a fraudulent message is crucial to protecting your personal and financial information. Additionally, when shopping on a social media platform, it is vital that you check for a shops credibility when making purchases and use the available security tools to protect your financial information.
Recommendations
So how can you protect your personal information when using smartphone apps?
- Avoid clicking directly on links–always search through your search engine to verify legitimacy and find the appropriate site
- Track your finances closely to spot unfamiliar activity before it becomes harmful
- Make sure that you have the necessary updates for any app and that you manually turn on all security function to use an app most safely
- Make purchases from reputable companies and use payment systems such as PayPal when possible
- Stay up to date on news regarding recent fraud and phishing attacks to see if you may have been affected